Threat prompts 'soft lockdown' at Lebanon H.S. - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Internet threats had police on alert Friday at Lebanon High School. The campus was put on what officials called a "soft lockdown" after a week of arguments unfolded on social media.

The soft lockdown is believed to be the result of online threats made last week involving several students. Three teenagers were suspended and others could be expelled.

Wilson County Schools Safety Director David Burton said someone threatened to shoot people at a school pep rally Friday.

Students at the school were allowed to attend classes and walk through the hallways as normal, but exterior doors were locked and the pep rally was canceled.

Some parents decided to pick up their children early.

"I heard there was a soft lockdown, and it just kind of scared me. She said she was able to leave - she texted me. So I got up here as fast as I could to get her, because you have to take every threat seriously," said parent Sandra Gibbs.

For years, there have been school resource officers in Wilson County high schools, including two who were at Lebanon High on Friday.

Just last Monday, a new policy was implemented in Wilson County Schools to add SROs at all of its schools, including elementary schools.

Schools Director Mike Davis said the expanded use of SROs in the school system made no difference in today's situation.

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